Cleaning method for a plant for packaging groups of objects

Abstract

A cleaning method is disclosed for a plant (1) for packaging groups of objects (2) with respective enclosures (4) obtained from a tape packaging material (3) comprising a step of feeding one or more discrete cleaning elements (14, 14') that are distinct from one another and have a geometric conformation corresponding to respective groups of objects (2) and advancing the one or more distinct discrete cleaning elements (14, 14') along an advancement path (T) intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by the groups of objects (2) and bringing each of the one or more distinct discrete cleaning elements (14, 14') into contact with parts (6d, 6c, 6e) of the plant (1) that - during normal operation - interact in contact with the groups of objects (2) so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along, or near, the advancement path (T).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] “Cleaning method for a plant for packaging groups of objects”

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a cleaning method for a plant for packaging groups of (loose) objects with respective enclosures obtained from a tape packaging material.

[0005] Specifically but not exclusively, the method according to the invention can be applied to a plant for packaging groups of elongated objects, in particular smoke articles. Smoke articles mean, for example, cigarettes, like aromatized cigarettes, in particular mentholated, cigarettes, or aerosol-generating articles.

[0006] Further on in the description, reference is made explicitly but in a non-limiting manner to packaging aromatized cigarettes, in particular cigarettes aromatized with menthol.

[0007] Prior art

[0008] Plants for packaging cigarettes are known in which groups of cigarettes are sequentially pre-wrapped by portions (sheets) of a tape packaging material that define the respective enclosures for the groups of cigarettes. Such enclosures are also called “inner liners”, which can in turn be clad by respective outer enclosures.

[0009] The loose cigarettes are fed to the plant by a feeding hopper that doses the smoke articles in groups of a certain number; these groups of smoke articles are then conveyed, for example by a conveyor belt provided with respective compartments, as far as a forming station for forming the enclosure in which the tape packaging material is cut into portions that are wrapped around the groups of smoke articles to form the respective enclosures.

[0010] The plant parts, for example the surfaces of the hopper and of the conveyor belt that come into contact with the smoke articles are subject to the accumulation of dirt, which can contaminate the products - compromising the quality thereof - and create accumulations that may hinder correct operation of the plant.

[0011] Apparatuses are further known for packaging aromatized smoke articles, in particular mentholated cigarettes, the aroma of which is conferred by the aromatized tape packaging material. Using an aromatized material in the packaging plant has implications to be considered, as set out below.

[0012] In a packaging cycle, the tape packaging material is advanced to the plant and comes into contact with the various plant parts soiling / contaminating these parts with aromatic particles.

[0013] The aromatic particles may pile up (or gather in dry deposits) on the packaging plant parts present in the transit zones of the tape material, causing both a loss of plant efficiency and / or plant malfunctions, and quality defects in the enclosure made.

[0014] Further, in the case of a production change, in particular in the change between production of aromatized articles and production of non-aromatized conventional articles, or in the change between production with a first aroma and subsequent production with a second aroma other than the first, it is necessary to avoid contaminating the second production batch with the aroma of the first.

[0015] In the case of menthol aromatized tape packaging material, in order to avoid important accumulations and solid encrustations of menthol, the contact surfaces of the packaging plant parts are heated so as to keep the menthol fluid. Nevertheless, heating the parts is not sufficient to reduce significantly or eliminate the menthol residue that may affect subsequent production.

[0016] It is observed that the drawbacks disclosed above may be caused by other types of undesired particles that are different from aromatized particles, like for example particles coming from an additive substance, or a coating product, or from a substance that is removable from the surface of the packaging material, the substance being liable to generate undesired accumulations along the packaging path, with the result of affecting production quality and efficiency.

[0017] In order to overcome these drawbacks, all the sliding surfaces of the plants parts are cleaned thoroughly that come into contact with either the smoke articles or with the tape packaging material or which are near the advancement path of the groups of smoke articles and of the respective enclosures in tape packaging material.

[0018] This cleaning task is performed manually by an operator with significant expenditure of time and adversely affects production efficiency as the plant has to be stopped in order to reach all the various plant parts. This manual cleaning task is moreover ineffective because both the smoke articles and the tape packaging material - in normal operation - traverse processing zones that are cramped and difficult for the operator to reach.

[0019] In the light of what has been set out above, there is thus ample room for improvement of current methods of cleaning a plant for packaging groups of objects.

[0020] In particular, it would be desirable to dispose of a cleaning method for a plant for packaging groups of objects that enables the plant parts to be cleaned rapidly and effectively.

[0021] Objects of the invention

[0022] One object of the invention is to improve current cleaning methods for packaging groups of objects with respective enclosures obtained from a tape packaging material.

[0023] Another object is to provide a solution that is able to speed up the operations of cleaning a plant for packaging groups of objects, decreasing plant downtime.

[0024] Another object is to provide a solution that is effective at removing and / or neutralizing from all the plant parts that have been in contact with the groups of loose or packaged objects, and also from parts near the advancement path traversed by the groups of loose or packaged objects.

[0025] Another object is to provide a solution that enables the operations of cleaning a plant for packaging groups of objects to be automated.

[0026] Such objects and still others are achieved by cleaning method for a plant for packaging groups of objects as defined in the attached claims.

[0027] Short description of the drawings

[0028] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a packaging plant for packaging groups of objects in which some elements are removed to show other elements thereof better;

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the packaging plant of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an upper part of the packaging plant;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the packaging plant part of Figure 3;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a tape cleaning material with weakening zones;

[0033] Figures 6 and 6A are schematic plan views of a tape cleaning material joined to a tape packaging material;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a tape cleaning material joined to a further tape cleaning material;

[0035] Figure 8 is a perspective view that illustrates material flows in a further embodiment of a packaging plant;

[0036] Figure 9 is a schematic section of a first version of a first embodiment of coated discrete cleaning material;

[0037] Figure 9A is a schematic section of a second version of the first embodiment of coated discrete cleaning material;

[0038] Figure 10 is a schematic section of a third embodiment of a block-shaped discrete cleaning material.

[0039] Detailed description

[0040] With reference to the aforesaid figures, a packaging plant for packaging objects 2 by a tape packaging material 3 designed to define respective enclosures 4 for such objects 2 (Figures 1 and 2) is indicated by numeric reference 1. The objects 2 can comprise elongated elements (i.e. having a prevalent axis of extent), preferably cylindrical elongated elements. Smoke articles, like traditional cigarettes or aerosol-generating articles (in particular of the heat-not-burn type) are examples of said objects 2. Alternatively, said objects 2 can be further articles of the tobacco industry or of other sectors like the food, sweetmeats or cosmetics industry.

[0041] The terms “packaging plant” means one or more machines for packaging objects 2. In particular, one or more machines for enclosing objects 2 inside packaging materials.

[0042] If the objects 2 are articles of the tobacco industry, in particular aromatized cigarettes or articles generating aromatized aerosols (for example mentholated aerosols), the plant is suitable for packaging said aromatized objects 2, the aroma of which can be contained in the object 2 and / or conferred by an aromatized (in particular mentholated) tape packaging material 3.

[0043] The tape packaging material 3 can be wrapped in a reel, which is possibly aromatized (for example with menthol or a mentholated reel).

[0044] The tape packaging material 3 can comprise a layer of paper coupled with a layer of aluminium. It is alternatively possible to provide only one or more layers of paper or only one or more plastic layers.

[0045] The belt packaging reel 3, if it is aromatized, can be prepared by unwinding a virgin reel, by applying to an inner side of the tape base material (the side that has the layer of paper) an aromatized alcohol solution, for example menthol, (with ethyl alcohol) and subsequently rewinding the reel. The aromatized alcohol solution can be applied by a volumetric needle valve dispenser.

[0046] After the application, the aromatized alcohol solution is absorbed by the tape layer 3 to which it is applied and remains trapped between two successive coils when the reel is rewound. The solvent does not evaporate completely between the application of the solvent and rewinding of the reel, so at the interface between the coils the zone affected by the aromatizer (for example the menthol) is still wet and the latter sticks to the outer surface of the coil, at the outer side of the tape base material. Traces of the aromatizing deposit therefore remain on this outer side. Accordingly, the aromatizer (for example the menthol, in the form of crystals) is present on both sides of the tape packaging material 3, in a greater quantity on the inner side (usually made of paper).

[0047] Once the reels have been aromatized they are bagged and placed in a vacuum to be kept and for the aroma to be preserved. Before being used in the packaging plant 1 , the reels of tape packaging material 3 are brought to ambient temperature or heated to activate the evaporation of the aromatizer crystals (menthol).

[0048] Further on in the description, explicit reference is made to menthol as an aromatic substance provided in the tape packaging material 3. Nevertheless, the disclosed cleaning method can also be applied in a conventional packaging process, in which there is no aromatic substance, or in a process of packaging aromatized objects in which an aromatic substance other than menthol is present, like for example: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, raspberry, strawberry, clove, etc. In fact, this cleaning method can be applied to remove and / or neutralize any type of undesired particles present along an advancement path T intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by the groups of objects 2.

[0049] The undesired particles comprise, in particular, particles coming from covering products / substances or from functional dispersions present in the packaging material and which may act as contaminants of a subsequent production batch. The undesired particles comprise, in particular, also dirt particles.

[0050] As disclosed further on, the cleaning cycle can be performed for a period of time that is necessary to remove and / or neutralize the undesired particles.

[0051] During normal operation of the packaging plant 1 , or in a packaging cycle, the tape packaging material 3 is wrapped (at least partially) around a group of objects 2 to form an enclosure 4 around these objects 2 (the set of objects 2 and the enclosure 4 that wraps the objects 2 is also called a “bundle”). The enclosure 4 is also called an “inner liner” and in a subsequent packaging step, can be covered by an outer enclosure13 (Figure 8) usually made by folding a cardboard blank.

[0052] In the packaging cycle, the tape packaging material 3 intended to form the inner liner 4 for a group of objects 2 (cigarettes or aerosol generating articles) is fed by a reel-holder unwinding device 8 (Figures 1 and 2) and is advanced through a possible embossing unit to then reach, by a series of rollers 6a and guides (Figures 3 and 4), a buffer zone and through a transverse cutting unit and through a (rotary or linear) forming unit where the tape packaging material 3 is cut and folded around a group of objects 2 to form the enclosure 4.

[0053] In the packaging cycle, the loose objects 2 are fed by a feeding hopper 9 to a belt conveyor 10 that advances a series of pockets (i.e. drawers) inside which the objects 2 are set up to form the group of objects 2 intended to be wrapped by the tape packaging material 3. Once the groups of objects 2 are formed, the groups of objects 2 are conveyed by the belt conveyor 10 near the forming unit where the tape packaging material 3, suitably cut into portions (sheets), is folded around the group of objects 2 forming the enclosure 4 containing the group of objects 2. Said enclosure 4 is conveyed to a second belt conveyor 11 as far as a series of packaging wheels 15, 16 (or conveyors) at which the packaging cycle will be completed with the application respectively of a stiffening element 12 and of an outer enclosure 13 (Figure 8).

[0054] A cleaning method can be implemented in the packaging plant 1 comprising a step of feeding one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ that are distinct from one another and have a geometric conformation corresponding to respective groups of objects 2 and advancing the aforesaid one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ along an advancement path T intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by the groups of objects 2.

[0055] For example, if we suppose that the group of objects 2 is a group of smoke articles having a parallelpipedon shape, the one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ will be an element with a parallelpipedon shape. Further, shaping the one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ will be substantially the same as sizing the of objects 2. In other words, the one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ will substantially have the same length, height and thickness of the group of objects 2.

[0056] At least two modes of advancing such groups of objects 2 along the advancement path T can be provided: a first mode involves advancing groups of loose objects 2 grouped by interacting with plant parts (for example pockets or compartments that can be movable or fixed); a second mode involves advancing these groups of loose objects 2 grouped inside the respective enclosures 4 (formed by the tape packaging material 3). In normal operation, the groups of objects 2 advance along the advancement path T first according to the advancement mode and subsequently according to the second advancement mode.

[0057] As will be disclosed in greater detail below, in the cleaning method, the objects 2 can be replaced by service objects or blocks 2’, 2”.

[0058] The cleaning method comprises a step of taking each of the one or more distinct discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ into contact with parts 6d, 6c, 6e of the plant 1 that - during normal operation - interact in contact with the groups of objects 2 (loose or packaged; in particular packaged in respective enclosures 4 made by the tape packaging material 3) so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along the advancement path T or near the latter.

[0059] In other words, the cleaning method involves replacing the groups of objects 2 (fed by the hopper) with at least one discrete cleaning element14, 14’ that has a shape that is analogous to a group of objects 2 (comprising grouped loose objects) or to a group of objects 2 packaged (in a respective enclosure 4).

[0060] In still other words, the cleaning method involves makes the discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ slide or touch against the surfaces of the parts 6c, 6d, 6e of the plant 1 with which the groups of loose objects 2 and / or the enclosures 4 of respective groups of packaged objects 2 have come into contact. In addition, the discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ can be brought into contact with parts near the parts 6c, 6d, 6e and / or which are near the advancement path T. In this case, the one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ will have dimensions that are little greater than the dimensions of the (loose or packaged) group of articles 2.

[0061] The parts 6c, 6d, 6e of the plant 1 that interact with the discrete cleaning element14, 14’ comprise, by way of non-limiting example (Figure 2): a containing and conveying surface 6e (said pocket or drawer and which can be supported by a first belt conveyor 10), a conveying compartment 6c (said pocket or drawer and which can be supported by a second belt conveyor 11 ), a conveying pocket 6d (for example formed on the periphery of a wheel conveyor 15), a folding helix, a channel or other return or guiding elements that - during normal operation - come into contact with the loose or packaged objects 2.

[0062] In one embodiment, the cleaning method involves a cycle comprising the steps of loading each discrete cleaning element 14 onto a respective containing and conveying surface 6e (made for example on a pocket or drawer of the first belt conveyor 10), driving the belt conveyor 10 and recovering (possibly discarding) each discrete cleaning element 14 exiting the plant. In this case, the discrete cleaning elements 14 will traverse the entire plant 1 cleaning all the parts thereof with which they come into contact.

[0063] Alternatively, each discrete cleaning element 14 could be recovered before exiting the plant 1 , for example before the latter reaches the forming unit. In this case, only one part of the plant 1 is subjected to the cleaning cycle.

[0064] The cycles disclosed above are repeatable until the end of cleaning.

[0065] According to a possible illustrated embodiment (Figure 10), the discrete cleaning element14, 14’ comprises one discrete cleaning element shaped as a block 14. The discrete cleaning element shaped as a block 14 can have a parallelpipedon shape (more or less regular, can for example have the shape of a small bar of soap). The discrete cleaning element shaped as a block 14 can comprise a plateshaped element (or brick-shaped element). A plate-shaped element means an element having two mutually orthogonal dimensions (for example width and length) that prevail with respect to a third transverse dimension (for example a height or thickness - although the thickness is a not insignificant dimension). The discrete cleaning element shaped as a block 14 has an outer surface that is suitable for cleaning through contact with the parts 6d, 6c, 6e of the plant 1 .

[0066] According to the embodiment in which discrete cleaning element is shaped as a block 14, it is possible to configure, before the feeding step, the discrete cleaning element shaped as a block 14 with overall dimensions that are greater than the (loose or packaged) group of objects 2 so that the exercised removing and / or neutralizing action affects all the zones touched by the groups of loose or packaged objects 2 and also further zones that are adjacent to and near the advancement path T.

[0067] Further, according to one embodiment, the aforesaid one or more discrete blockshaped cleaning elements 14 are impregnated with a detergent fluid and / or a solvent fluid and / or a disinfectant fluid that is released (on the parts 6c, 6d, 6e of the plant 1 ) during the advancement of these discrete cleaning elements 14.

[0068] Alternatively, the impregnating step can be before the feeding step of feeding discrete cleaning elements 14 shaped as a block in the advancement path T.

[0069] The cleaning fluid comprises, in particular, a detergent fluid and / or a solvent fluid and / or a disinfectant fluid. According to one embodiment, the cleaning fluid contains suspended abrasive particles. In the context of the invention, the terms fluid means a substance including at least one liquid phase, like for example a liquid or a gel.

[0070] Further, an outer surface can be configured of one or more block-shaped discrete cleaning elements 14 with an abrasive material that is suitable for removing the undesired particles by rubbing.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the cleaning method comprises, during feeding, a step of checking the cleaning level reached that includes, in particular, measuring a quantity of the residual undesired particles on one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ and / or on one or more of the parts 6d, 6c, 6e of the plant 1 and stopping the cleaning cycle when the measured quantity of residual undesired particles is less than a set threshold value. The checking step can be run periodically, at set intervals.

[0072] Measuring the quantity of residual undesired particles can comprise a step of titring the content of residual undesired particles by dissolving the latter with local washing by a solvent. According to a further illustrated embodiment (Figure 9), the discrete cleaning element14, 14’ comprises a covered discrete cleaning element 14’, in which the covering is formed (at least partially) by a portion of tape cleaning material 5. In this further embodiment, the cleaning method includes a further step of feeding a tape cleaning material 5 along a further advancement path W intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by the tape packaging material 3. The further feeding step can be run automatically. The further advancement path W can be traversed both by the tape packaging material 3 and by the tape cleaning material 5 and extends from an unwinding zone, a reel of (packaging 3 and / or cleaning 5) tape material is supported and unwound (from the reel-holding unwinding device 8) as far as a cutting zone in which the tape material is cut into portions that are suitable for forming the individual enclosures 4 (“inner liners”) for the objects 2. In this further advancement path W the (cleaning 5 and / or conveying 3) tape material is conveyed in the form of an elongated tape. Once the cleaning 5 and / or packaging 3 tape material is portioned to form the enclosures 4, the portioned tape material advances along the advancement path T (according to the second advancement mode, in the form of a group of objects 2 packaged).

[0073] In this further embodiment with coated discrete cleaning elements 14’, the tape cleaning material 5 is slided in contact with further parts 6a, 6b of the plant 1 that

[0074] - during normal operation - interact in contact with the tape packaging material 3 so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along the further advancement path W or near the latter.

[0075] In tale embodiment, measuring the quantity of residual undesired particles and / or the step of titring the content of residual undesired particles by dissolving the latter with local washing by a solvent can be run with reference to the residual undesired particles on one or more discrete cleaning elements 14, 14’ and / or on the tape packaging material 3 and / or on one or more of the parts 6d, 6c, 6e of the plant 1 .

[0076] The further parts 6a, 6b of the plant 1 comprise, by way of non-limiting example (Figures 2, 3 and 4): unwinding guides, embossing unit parts, joining mechanism parts, dragging and return roller parts 6a (including roller adjustment), guides 6b, buffer parts, longitudinal cutting unit parts, unwinding and cutting unit parts, forming wheel parts, in particular forming pockets, cutting blades and (fixed or movable) folding elements and / or guide elements that - during normal operation

[0077] - come into contact with the tape packaging material 3. In the further embodiment, thus in the case of the use of coated cleaning elements 14’, in an end step of the packaging cycle - during normal operation - the groups of loose objects 2 are replaced with respective groups of loose service objects 2’ (Figure 9) or with respective service blocks 2” (Figure 9A), each of which is intended to be wrapped by a portion of the tape cleaning material 5 to form the coating discrete cleaning materials 14’.

[0078] According to one illustrated embodiment (Figure 9), the service objects 2’ comprise filtering material rods (for example, of the same type and dimensions used for packaging traditional cigarettes). Alternatively, the service objects comprise cylindrical elongated objects of greater diameter than that of the cigarettes to be packaged so that the enclosure 4 formed by the service objects wrapped by the tape cleaning material 5 exerts increased pressure on the plant parts 1 with which it comes into contact.

[0079] According to one illustrated embodiment (Figure 10), the service block 2” has a parallelpipedon shape (which is more or less regular, for example it can have the shape of a small bar of soap).

[0080] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 can be configured with a length that is less than the length of the tape packaging material 3 and is correlated to the duration of the cleaning cycle. It is preferable to have a duration of the cleaning cycle that is less than the packaging cycle. With this configuration of lesser length, it is possible to load a single cleaning reel to perform the respective cleaning cycle.

[0081] According to one alternative embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 can be configured with a length about equal to that of the tape packaging material 3. With this configuration of about equal length, it is possible to use a single cleaning reel several times to perform respective cleaning cycles. The length of the tape packaging material 3 is comprised in the range 1000-1800 metres. The length of the tape cleaning material 5 is comprised in the range 1000-1800 metres, or reduced in proportion to the possible increase in thickness with respect to the packaging material.

[0082] According to one illustrated embodiment (Figure 6), the tape cleaning material 5 is configured with a width (i.e. a dimension in a direction that is transverse to an advancement direction defined by the further advancement path W) that is greater than the width of the tape packaging material 3 so that the action of removing and / or neutralizing affects all the zones touched by the tape packaging material 3 and also further zones that are adjacent to and near the advancement path T and the further advancement path W.

[0083] In other words, in this embodiment, the width of the tape cleaning material 5 can be (slightly) greater than the material of the tape packaging material 3 to enable a greater width to be covered to also affect slipping zones in the portions of the further advancement path W and to interact also on “concave” comers along the further advancement path W, like for example bottom comers of the guide adjustments. The width of the tape packaging material 3 is comprised in the range 50-140 mm. The width of the tape cleaning material 5 is comprised in the range 50-140 mm.

[0084] Further, in particular in the case of greater width of the tape cleaning material 5, it is possible to provide weakening zones 5a in longitudinal edges of the tape cleaning material 5 to facilitate the shape adaptation of the tape cleaning material 5 near the parts and the further plant parts 1 with which the tape cleaning material 5 comes into contact. In other words, providing weakening zones 5a enables the tape cleaning material 5 to be appropriately deformed to engage plant parts that are near the advancement path T and the further advancement path W.

[0085] In one embodiment that is not illustrated, the tape cleaning material 5 is configured with a thickness (i.e. the lesser dimension of the tape cleaning material 5) that is comparable with the thickness of the tape packaging material 3 so as not to generate undesired forces on the parts 6c, 6d, 6e and on the further parts 6a, 6b, of the plant 1 that come into contact with the tape cleaning material 5. In particular, in this embodiment, the thickness of the tape cleaning material 5 is (slightly) greater than the material of the tape packaging material 3 The thickness of the tape cleaning material 5 is comprised in the range 50-400 pm, in particular in the range 80-300 pm.

[0086] The thickness of the tape packaging material 3 is comprised in the range 40-120 pm.

[0087] In one possible embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 is deformable so as not to cause hindrances or damage to the parts 6c, 6d, 6e and the further parts 6a, 6b of the plant 1 that come into contact with the tape cleaning material 5 (in particular which it is in contact with the unwinding rollers and / or the embosser).

[0088] Further, the tape cleaning material 5 has such tensile strength as not to cause irregularities or undesired stress in the plant 1 during advancement in the cleaning cycle.

[0089] Further, the tape cleaning material 5 can be cut by the cutting blades that are suitable for cutting the tape packaging material 3 so that the cleaning action also affects the cutting edges of the blades.

[0090] As will be set out in detail below, it is possible to configure the tape cleaning material 5 with a material that is able to absorb and maintain internally a cleaning fluid and release this cleaning fluid during advancement.

[0091] The tape cleaning material 5 can be impregnated with the cleaning fluid that is released during advancement of the tape cleaning material 5. In one embodiment thereof, the tape cleaning material 5 can be soaked in a suitable solvent for menthol like an (ethanol or methanol-based) alcohol solution. In particular, the liquid can be released from both sides of the tape cleaning material 5 during advancement along the further advancement path W.

[0092] In one embodiment, the impregnation step of the tape cleaning material 5 can be before the feeding step. In other words the cleaning reel loaded into the plant 1 is already soaked with the liquid (or gel) before the start of the cleaning cycle. The supply status of this impregnated tape cleaning material can be identical to that of wipes dampened by detergent. In the case of a pre-impregnated cleaning reel, the cleaning action exerted by the cleaning liquid is exerted on the entire advancement path W, also in the unwinding zone and / or in the (preferably automatic) change zone. Further, if there is a pre-impregnated cleaning reel, the latter can be kept inside a hermetically sealed enclosure so that the features of the liquid (or of the gel) contained therein are maintained.

[0093] According to a further embodiment, the impregnating step of the tape cleaning material 5 occurs, alternatively, during the feeding step of the tape cleaning material 5 in the cleaning cycle (“in line” impregnating step). In this situation, the cleaning reel is in a “dry” state when it is loaded into the plant 1 . The fluid can be applied to both sides of the tape cleaning material 5 by a suitable dispensing nozzle. The fluid can be dispensed continuously or discontinuously by activating and deactivating in a controlled manner the dispensing nozzle or spraying nozzle during the cleaning cycle. Alternatively, it is possible to use a lubricating nozzle (that in normal operation dispenses a lubricant) to apply the cleaning fluid. If the tape cleaning material 5 is impregnated “in line” the cleaning action exerted by the cleaning fluid is exerted downstream of an impregnating zone (to which the jet of the dispensing nozzle is directed) along the advancement path W.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises a fabric material, in natural and / or synthetic fibres.

[0095] According to a further embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 can comprise nonwoven fabric material. One example of nonwoven fabric material is that which is usable in a (soaked or dampened) detergent wipe. A material of the detergent wipe type has average grammage of 25 gsm, average thickness of 200 pm and resistance to tensile stress of 60N (obtained with ISO1924 method).

[0096] Another example of nonwoven fabric material is the “fleece” that is usable to contain doses of material containing oral nicotine or doses of tea. A material of the fleece type has average grammage of 40 gsm, average thickness of 100 pm resistance to tensile stress of 40N (obtained with ISO1924 method).

[0097] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises an antistatic material that is able to attract dust and other undesired particles, like an antistatic cloth. An antistatic cloth material has average grammage of 30 gsm, average thickness of 300 pm and resistance to tensile stress of 30N (obtained with ISO1924 method).

[0098] According to one embodiment, the tape cleaning material 5 comprises paper material. Examples of paper materials include the paper used in a filter for tea or absorbent paper. Another example of paper material is porous paper (of the type that is usable in a cigarette filter rod).

[0099] The tape cleaning material 5 can contain fibres of PLA, PHA, cellulose (and / or other compostable or biodegradable materials) so as to be disposed of as compostable (or biodegradable) material.

[0100] Further, or alternatively, it is possible to configure the tape cleaning material 5 with an abrasive material that is suitable for removing by rubbing (or abrasion) the undesired particles. In other words, the tape cleaning material 5 can have one or both sides made of abrasive material so as to remove accumulations of undesired particles mechanically.

[0101] From what has been disclosed above, it is clear that the cleaning method according to the invention successfully achieves the set objects. In particular, plant downtime is cut significantly and at the same time the efficacy and thoroughness of the operations of cleaning and deodorizing all the parts of the plant is assured.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Cleaning method for a plant (1 ) for packaging groups of objects (2) with respective enclosures (4) obtained from a tape packaging material (3), comprising the following steps:- feeding one or more discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) that are distinct from one another and have a geometric conformation corresponding to respective groups of objects (2) and advancing said one or more discrete distinct cleaning elements (14, 14’) along an advancement path (T) intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by said groups of objects (2),- bringing each of said one or more distinct discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) into contact with parts (6d, 6c, 6e) of said plant (1 ) that - during normal operation - interact in contact with said groups of objects (2) so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along, or near, said advancement path (T).

2. Cleaning method according to claim 1 , further comprising a further step of feeding a tape cleaning material (5) along a further advancement path (W) intended - in normal operation - to be traversed by said tape packaging material (3), and running said tape cleaning material (5) into contact with further parts (6a, 6b) of said plant (1 ) that - during normal operation - interact in contact with said tape packaging material (3) so as to remove and / or neutralize by contact undesired particles present along, or near, said further advancement path (W).

3. Cleaning method according to claim 2, wherein the step of coating said one or more distinct discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) with respective portions of said tape cleaning material (5) is provided.

4. Cleaning method according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein said tape cleaning material (5) is configured with a width that is greater than said tape packaging material (3).

5. Cleaning method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) has overall dimensions greater than the group of objects (2) so that the removal and / or neutralization action exerted by said one or more discrete cleaningelements (14’) affects all the zones touched by said groups of objects (2) and also further zones adjacent to and near the advancement path (T).

6. Cleaning method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said one or more discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) and / or said tape cleaning material (5) is impregnated with a detergent fluid and / or a solvent fluid and / or a disinfectant fluid that is released during the advancement of said discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) and / or said tape cleaning material (5).

7. Cleaning method according to claim 6, wherein the step of impregnating said one or more discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) and / or said tape cleaning material (5) occurs before or at the same time as the corresponding feeding step.

8. Cleaning method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said one or more discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) and / or said tape cleaning material (5) is configured with an abrasive material suitable for removing said undesired particles by rubbing.

9. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, that comprises a step of checking the level of cleaning achieved that includes measuring a quantity of said residual undesired particles on one or more discrete cleaning elements (14; 14’) and / or on one or more of said parts (6d, 6c, 6e) of said plant (1 ) and a step of arresting said cleaning cycle when said measured quantity of residual undesired particles is below a set threshold value.

10. Cleaning method according to claim 9, wherein said measuring involves titring the content of said residual undesired particles by dissolving said residual undesired particles by topical washing with a solvent.11 . Cleaning method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said step of checking is performed at set time intervals.

12. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding step of feeding one or more discrete cleaning elements (14, 14’) and / or the feeding step of feeding the tape cleaning material (5) is performed automatically.

13. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said objects (2) comprise elongated products, in particular smoke articles.

14. Cleaning method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tape packaging material (3) comprises a tape of aromatized paper, in particular a tape of mentholated paper.

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